Collector net and bracket for a pool filter

ABSTRACT

A collector net having a net section adjustably connected to a bracket section, wherein the bracket section is adapted to adjustably connect to a pool frame. The net section comprising a net member, a net frame attached to the net member, and a handle removably attached to the net frame and adjustably attached to the bracket section. The bracket section has a first bracket member telescopically inserted within a second bracket member, and a threaded nut adapted to hold the first and second bracket members in a desired position and length, wherein the second bracket member includes a pair of legs separated along a length thereof a distance such that the bracket section is adapted to be placed stably upon the pool frame, and a strap member adapted to wrap around the second bracket member and the pool frame to thereby secure the bracket section to the pool frame.

This application claims priority based on request GB1215110.6 filed Aug.24, 2012

Collector net and bracket for a pool filter

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pool accessories but moreparticularly to a collector net for a pool filter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A filter intake in a swimming pool typically has a screen incorporatedtherein so as to collect debris so that they do not cause damage to thefilter. However, that screen needs to be manually cleaned up from timeto time. Especially when there are a lot of leaves and/or wind in thearea. When people leave the house for a few days, it is likely that thescreen will fill up and block the filter intake.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices nowpresent in the prior art, the present invention, which will be describedsubsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantageswhich are:

To provide for a way to eliminate the bulk of debris caught by thescreen by providing a catch net in front of the screen.

In order to do so, the invention consists in a collector net apparatushaving a net section adjustably connected to a bracket section, whereinthe bracket section is adapted to adjustably connect to a pool frame.The net section comprising a net member, a net frame attached to the netmember, and a handle member removably attached to the net frame andadjustably attached to the bracket section. The bracket section has afirst bracket member telescopically inserted within a second bracketmember, and a threaded nut adapted to hold the first and second bracketmembers in a desired position and length, wherein the second bracketmember includes a pair of legs separated along a length thereof adistance such that the bracket section is adapted to be placed stablyupon the pool frame, and a strap member adapted to wrap around thesecond bracket member and the pool frame to thereby secure the bracketsection to the pool frame, and thereby secure and hold the net sectionin place with respect to the pool frame and pool filter system.

The collector net apparatus has the bracket section include a threadedbolt and wing nut placed through a distal end section of the firstbracket member that is distal from the second bracket member, and thehandle member of the net section is formed having an elongated spacealong a length thereof, such that the threaded bolt and wing nut can beplaced through the elongated space of the handle member and tightenedand secured to a chosen portion along the elongated length, therebyadapted to adjust and secure the height of the net section with respectto the pool frame.

The collector net apparatus has a first of the pair of legs of thesecond bracket member securely attached thereto, and a second of thepair of legs connected to a movable leg bracket that is formed to fitaround and slide along a length of the second bracket member; whereinthe movable leg bracket includes a threaded nut that passes therethroughand contacts the second bracket member, such that the distance betweenthe first and second legs can be adjusted and secured to thereby adaptto a variety of pool frame shapes and sizes.

The collector net apparatus has the net frame attached to a substantialportion of the edges of the net member.

The net member is formed having an internal volume in the shape of arectangular volume, and the bracket member has a cross-section formed inthe shape of a rectangle.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described hereinafter and whichwill form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of theinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction and to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially thescientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiarwith patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from acursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure ofthe application. The abstract is neither intended to define theinvention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is itintended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with thevarious features of novelty which characterize the invention, arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention,its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-b Isometric views of the invention.

FIGS. 2 a-b Isometric views of the bracket member.

FIGS. 3 a-b Top view and top view detail of the invention in context.

FIGS. 4 a-b Isometric views of the net and frame.

FIG. 5 Front view of the invention in context.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A collector net and bracket (10) for a pool filter (not shown) has atelescopic bracket member (12) having a first and a second section (13,13′) attached to a pool frame (14) by way of a strap (16). The bracketmember (12) connects to a net frame (18) which holds a net section (20),by way of a handle member (22). The height of the net section (20) canbe adjusted by way of a threaded bolt (23) and wing nut (24) used fortightening the handle member (22) to the bracket member (12).

The telescopic bracket member (12) adjusts the distance of the net frame(18) to the pool frame (14). A threaded nut (26) locks the telescopingsections (28, 28′) in a given configuration.

The bracket section (12) has two pairs of legs (30,30′) so as to steadythe bracket section (12) onto the pool frame (14), The strap (16) thenattaches the bracket section (12). Because pool frames (14) havedifferent width, one of the two pairs of legs (30) is attached to amovable leg bracket (32) which slides along the telescoping section(28′) and is locked in place by a threaded nut (26).

In use, the collector net and bracket (10) is simply installed asdescribed hereinabove and placed proximal the pool filter so that thewater movement inside the pool naturally draws floating debris towardsthe filter and thus into the net section (20). Because the process isautomatic, there is no need for anyone to operate the device, except forremoving the debris from time to time.

As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of thepresent invention, the same should be apparent from the abovedescription. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the mannerof usage and operation will be provided.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A collector net apparatus for a pool filter system, said collectornet apparatus comprising a net section adjustably connected to a bracketsection, wherein said bracket section is adapted to adjustably connectto a pool frame; said net section comprising a net member, a net frameattached to said net member, and a handle member removably attached tosaid net frame and adjustably attached to said bracket section; saidbracket section comprising a first bracket member telescopicallyinserted within a second bracket member, and a threaded nut adapted tohold said first and second bracket members in a desired position andlength, wherein said second bracket member includes a pair of legsseparated along a length thereof a distance such that said bracketsection is adapted to be placed stably upon said pool frame; and a strapmember adapted to wrap around said second bracket member and said poolframe to thereby secure said bracket section to said pool frame, andthereby secure and hold said net section in place with respect to saidpool frame and pool filter system.
 2. The collector net apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said bracket section includes a threaded bolt and wingnut placed through a distal end section of said first bracket memberthat is distal from said second bracket member; and said handle memberof said net section is formed having an elongated space along a lengththereof, such that said threaded bolt and wing nut can be placed throughsaid elongated space of said handle member and tightened and secured toa chosen portion along said elongated length, thereby adapted to adjustand secure the height of said net section with respect to said poolframe.
 3. The collector net apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first ofsaid pair of legs of said second bracket member is securely attachedthereto, and a second of said pair of legs is connected to a movable legbracket that is formed to fit around and slide along a length of saidsecond bracket member; wherein said movable leg bracket includes athreaded nut that passes therethrough and contacts said second bracketmember, such that the distance between said first and second legs can beadjusted and secured to thereby adapt to a variety of pool frame shapesand sizes.
 4. The collector net apparatus of claim 1, wherein said netframe attaches to a substantial portion of the edges of said net member.5. The collector net apparatus of claim 1, wherein said net member isformed having an internal volume in the shape of a rectangular volume.6. The collector net apparatus of claim 1, wherein said bracket memberhas a cross-section formed in the shape of a rectangle.
 7. A pool filtersystem for filtering the water of a swimming pool, said pool filtersystem comprising a pool filter adapted to be placed at a chosenlocation within said swimming pool; and a collector net apparatusadapted to be placed proximal said pool filter, such that water movementwithin said swimming pool will draw floating debris towards said poolfilter and into said collector net before reaching said pool filter;wherein said collector net apparatus comprises a net section adjustablyconnected to a bracket section, wherein said bracket section is adaptedto adjustably connect to a pool frame; said net section comprising a netmember, a net frame attached to said net member, and a handle memberremovably attached to said net frame and adjustably attached to saidbracket section; said bracket section comprising a first bracket membertelescopically inserted within a second bracket member, and a threadednut adapted to hold said first and second bracket members in a desiredposition and length, wherein said second bracket member includes a pairof legs separated along a length thereof a distance such that saidbracket section is adapted to be placed stably upon said pool frame; anda strap member adapted to wrap around said second bracket member andsaid pool frame to thereby secure said bracket section to said poolframe, and thereby secure and hold said net section in place withrespect to said pool frame and pool filter system.
 8. The pool filtersystem of claim 7, wherein said bracket section includes a threaded boltand wing nut placed through a distal end section of said first bracketmember that is distal from said second bracket member; and said handlemember of said net section is formed having an elongated space along alength thereof, such that said threaded bolt and wing nut can be placedthrough said elongated space of said handle member and tightened andsecured to a chosen portion along said elongated length, thereby adaptedto adjust and secure the height of said net section with respect to saidpool frame.
 9. The pool filter system of claim 7, wherein a first ofsaid pair of legs of said second bracket member is securely attachedthereto, and a second of said pair of legs is connected to an movableleg bracket that is formed to fit around and slide along a length ofsaid second bracket member; wherein said movable leg bracket includes athreaded nut that passes therethrough and contacts said second bracketmember, such that the distance between said first and second legs can beadjusted and secured to thereby adapt to a variety of pool frame shapesand sizes.
 10. The pool filter system of claim 7, wherein said net frameattaches to a substantial portion of the edges of said net member. 11.The pool filter system of claim 7, wherein said net member is formedhaving an internal volume in the shape of a rectangular volume.
 12. Thepool filter system of claim 7, wherein said bracket member has across-section formed in the shape of a rectangle.